African Cosmology Series Pt. 2: The Heliopolitan Creation Myth
How "complex" quantum physics was explained in story form by black people thousands of years ago
Heliopolis was an ancient hub for theology, astronomy, and cosmology. It played a huge role in, not only how we view Kemet today, but also the knowledge extracted from that period when it was a prominent city.
Its Kemetic name, Iunu, meaning “The Pillar” became the Greek Heliopolis, meaning “City of the Sun”.
Along with Thebes and Memphis, two cosmological systems we will explore in future episodes, these were three major cities in ancient Kemet.
In the last episode we discussed the concept behind the Kemetic view of the cosmos as a whole. Keep in mind that Kemet was a very rich city, where peoples came from across the world for knowledge. Knowledge sourced, recorded, and taught from black people.
We will continue with this series by exploring how this essential civilization in black history was a cosmological storehouse, making modern science a bastardized retelling.
A quick recap of the Kemetic Cosmological Viewpoint
We already debunked the ex-nihilo “out of nothing came something” theory that modern science uses to explain the origins of the cosmos.
Ancient Kemetic priests viewed matter as eternal, coming from an unorganized field of subquantum field of energy deemed the Primordial Waters.
Out of this chaos came the order of the material universe we abide within today.
Let's take it a step further.
Heliopolitan Creation Myth
The initial intent within the original Primordial Waters is a prevalent theme in Kemetic creation myths.
Atum, described as self-begotten or self-made, represents that initial intent of the cosmos “to know” itself and evolve to higher states of awareness.
Involving itself in its own “creation” process is where you get man being created in the likeness and image of God. Also, where the Divine Sparks being fragments of the Pleroma, also called the fullness.
Considered the first God, he is responsible for the creation of the world, being the initial mover.
His story is very important to consider when studying oneself. Also, in how Africans viewed themselves in relation to the cosmos.
Hermetic Correspondence to Kemetic Thought
I often refer to the Kybalion, consisting of the 7 Hermetic Laws of the Universe: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Causation, and Gender. Although these are principles in, as, and of themselves, they all extend from the initial one being Mentalism:
“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” - The Kybalion
This reflects the One into the Many motif that creation myths have across the world. That is a view that, by default, is harmonious with nature.
However, Western society is very myopic and closed-minded, seeking to control and manipulate through a one-dimensional mentality.
The interconnectedness of the Universe is a holistic mentality. This allows for the “unknown” to be deciphered from the “known” through Correspondence in principle, form, functions, etc.
Atum into the Multiplicity
The self-begotten Atum emerged out of the Primordial Waters and found himself to be lonely. He represents the initial move towards teleology. One has to have a reflection to know itself, hence the Many containing and being managed from the One.
This process is described as a sneeze, masturbation, copulating with his own shadow, etc. In doing so, he engendered the masculine and feminine principles, calling into being Shu (Air) and Tefnut (Moisture).
Masturbation, in this cosmological sense, represents movement and implanting the seed of intent. Especially because sperm is mobile and goal-oriented in its form and function.
Concerning the Primordial Waters, it is planting seed into fertile ground. In agriculture, fertile ground means ultimate potential. This also was the initial combining of the masculine and feminine in a sense. Once again, lending to the replay of events that correspond in principle but in different planes/stages of existence.
Out of chaos came order. Remember, this order of Atum was already within the Primordial Waters of chaos. However, just as a thought emerges in the mind, it takes implanting that thought into the fertile ground of your subconscious mind for anything to manifest into the material realm.
The Creative Principle Within
Naturally, Shu and Tefnut possessed creative energy just like their forebears. They, once again, begat and engendered masculine and feminine principles. That's why I deem preserving the principle.
The 4 Creative Elements
Shu, Tefnut, Geb, and Nut represent the 4 elements of the Earth. Once again, this represents a common motif in creation myths around the world.
The number 4 in numerology represents concepts such as:
Foundation
Stability
Discipline
Practicality
The 4 elements are foundational for the mind to understand and interact with life on Earth.
Even with your center of gravity and standing upright, there's your 2 heels and 2 forefoots giving you balance.
But lets take it a step further, relating to the Hermetic 7.
Your body being the 1 emanates downward into the connected 6: your two forefoots, two midfoots, and two heels. Just a thought.
Interconnected, they are, but they are independent entities as themselves.
You can see in this image that all of these elements contain water qualities, hence why water is so essential to life. Also, why Earth is sometimes referred to a fishbowl.
Even when driving in the car, you can clearly see that there are different planes of existence. Sticking your arm out the window while driving at a high speed gives the same feeling as wading your arms, or even swimming underwater. The Primordial Waters, chaotic waters, Triple Black Waters of the Great Mother, just like that of your mother's womb is apart of life.
Also, why one of the most important skills to develop, if not the most important, is emotional intelligence. It is your key to navigating earthly life but understanding who you are on an energetic level, which is what you are.
The Tetramorph
The tetramorph is associated with the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). It is:
“…the union of the symbols of the Four Evangelists, derived from the four living creatures in the Book of Ezekiel, into a single figure or, more commonly, a group of four figures.
These four living creatures are the Man, Ox, Lion, and Eagle.
“The lion is Matthew, because Matthew portrays the Lord Jesus as the King; the ox is Mark, because Mark portrays Him as a servant; the man is Luke, because Luke portrays Him as a perfect, genuine man; the eagle is John, because John portrays Him as God.”
This is no coincidence that raising the Kundalini energy, commonly referred to as the primal cosmic energy of the Universe, is also associated with raising the Christos energy.
Being Jesus, that creative principle, linked with cosmos versus “serving” him as your Lord and Savior, honoring vicarious atonement in hopes of eternal life.
This also lends to how these four living creatures of Ezekiel and four Evangelists relate to 4 cardinal signs in the Zodiac: Aquarius (man), Leo (Lion), Taurus (Ox), Scorpio (Eagle). [Scorpio was not always depicted as a scorpion. It moreso represents the lowly, unveiled version of the archetype. Eagles are likened to the Phoenix rising out the ashes evolution journey.
Now you can see that the ancient Kemetic peoples were black people because that is how we think.
We turn complex topics into ways anybody can understand. We are also a very artistic and symbolic people.
You can see this in Prince, being a sex symbol himself but also that of androgyneity.
You can also see it in our verbal art form known as hip-hop, even stretching into battle rap.
For example, Nu Jerzey Twork, a battle rapper from Nu Jerzey developed a rap scheme against his opponent Tay Roc. In this sport, he verbally attacked his opponent, like boxing, through using what are known as bars: taking two seemingly unrelated concepts and linking them together painting a very clear, vivid image in the listeners imagination. Check this out:
I'm finna clip this nigga up You said, "DNanny" for "DNA in New York" That shit was iffy bruh, listen up I'lI show you how to split the states and cities up
Cause that ain't go over or land though (Orlando) like you went to Disney bruh don't wanna see you now or again (Oregon), I suggest the niggas wit" you Duck (Oregon Ducks) You go to police, it goes South da code of (Dakota) the streets take ya lips and zip 'em up I went to his home in Baltimore, the nigga think he big and tough When he see his daughter on the floor it'll (Florida) switch his feelings up On my waist is where the cans is (Kansas) and if I lift these pistols up I shoot his baby boy crib, I won't even miss his sippy (Mississippi) cup
Melanin today must be traced to back then because the creativity of melanin is far beyond what any Western science, methodology, or nation (not civilization) could ever develop.
📆 In the next African Cosmology post, we will discover the Heliopolitan Creation Myth. One of my main sources of information is this paper if you want to check it out! We will be getting more occult as we go along, so I hope you are ready to branch out and do your own research 🧠📰